2024.05.20 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Council Meeting Minutes for May 6, 2024 Page 8 of 12 surrounding Agricultural uses and explained how the solar farm would have a low impact on adjacent properties. He said it was staff’s opinion that the proposal was compatible with the character of the surrounding area. Staff had also reviewed the site plan requirements saying most of them overlapped the IUP requirements except ones relating to stormwater management and wetlands. Staff found that solar panels would not affect overall drainage patterns. There were 3.6 acres of wetlands on the site, and the solar array would be constructed in a portion of it, as was permitted by ordinance. The applicant had received a no-loss exemption from the Technical Evaluation Panel for the construction. Gort concluded his presentation by saying staff had found the proposal met all requirements of City Code. The Planning Commission unanimously voted to recommend approval to the Council with the two added conditions. He explained that based on feedback from the public hearing and recent correspondence from neighboring residents relating to the character of the area, staff drafted a resolution with findings of fact for denial for the Council to also consider. Strub asked about barbed wire on the top of the fence that was mentioned during the Planning Commission public hearing. Gort responded that the Planning Commission did not recommend it being changed, and it is still on the plan. Petryk asked if the applicant was the property owner or if it would be a long-term lease. Gort replied that the applicant had a purchase agreement with the owner. Weidt noted there were a lot of attendees that may want to speak, even though this was not a public hearing. He asked the developer to speak first. Evan Carlson from Enterprise Energy, 2925 Dean Parkway in Minneapolis, explained he was the owner of the company and had the purchase agreement on the property. He said that about a year and half ago, he started working on this project. He said he has a lot in it, and it is an important project for him, and he intends to own it long term. He said he knew it was not popular with surrounding landowners, so he wanted it to be done well. Carlson indicated he followed all the requirements of the ordinance, which he found to be very robust, and they were using an area that was not suited for anything else. Carlson said his wife was a veterinarian and has respect for people who rehab animals. He said he understood their concerns and wanted to do his best to address them and do it in a way that makes people happy. He talked about other solar panels in the neighborhood saying the only difference was that these were on the ground. He said the City had done a good job protecting the aesthetics of the neighborhood by requiring setbacks. In addition to the vegetation management plan, they also did a tree survey so the impact would be extremely minimal. Evan said the property was outside the MUSA, which he felt was a very important characteristic, along with the owner of the property not being able to put a well and septic on it, so this would be a productive way to utilize the land. A full SWPP was also done. He commented on the City’s requirements that are reflected on the site plan saying they are very robust, and he hoped he could gain respect from people by doing a good job. Mayor Weidt opened it up for other comments. John David Udstuen, 15190 Everton Avenue North, stated he was speaking on behalf of the entire neighborhood who are 100% opposed. He said that per the ordinance, the solar farm was to be compatible with the present character of the surrounding area, and this was not compatible. Udstuen said he had countless reason why it was not but would only focus on a few. They have large lots with single family homes and lots of open space with mature trees and wildlife. It’s